EVMS Capability Self-Assessment – TOD Learning Center

How does your implementation and practice of your Earned Value Management System (EVMS) score against best practices?

1. General Assessment

1.01 To what extent are your core technical, schedule, and costs management processes integrated?

Technical, schedule, and cost management processes are not well defined

Technical, schedule, and cost management processes are defined, but not integrated or partially integrated

Technical, schedule, and cost management processes are integrated properly

Technical, schedule, and cost management processes are integrated properly and documented

Technical, schedule, and cost management processes are integrated properly and fully documented and validated/certified

1.02 What level of documentation exists regarding the organization's program management processes?

Formal documentation doesn't exist at this time

Company policy on general program management requirements

Company policy requiring management plans for programs (e.g. Program Management Plan (PMP), Subcontractor Management Plan, Integrated Master Plan (IMP), Risk Management Plan, Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), etc.)

Numerous procedures document core program management processes (e.g. Planning, Scheduling, Monitoring & Controlling, Change Management, etc.)

A comprehensive set of fully integrated program management procedures and desktop instructions. The documentation has been assessed as compliant with contractual requirements

1.03 To what degree of confidence do stakeholders have with the information coming out of the current program management system

No confidence. Capability immature. Expect to improve over time

Little confidence. Need special supplemental analysis to be performed before willing to make decision

Some information is reliable and other information is not (e.g. Schedule is accurate, but cost estimate isn't)

Information is generally reliable and decision quality

Complete confidence in using the any of information for making management decisions

1.04 How would you self assess your capabilities regarding EVM

Vaguely familiar with methodology

Know just enough to get by

Strong in one dimension (e.g. scheduling), but building knowledge/skills in others (e.g. regulations, analysis)

Confident and capable

Considered by many to be a subject matter expert

1.05 What statement best represents your level of confidence in improving the capability/maturity of your integrated program management processes over time?

Not happening unless there are changes to a few key positions

Wish me luck. It's going to take a long time. The culture is not ready

Not sure what it's going to take. Wishing for the best

Doable with the right people/skill sets and some senior leadership support

We got this. Done this before and can do it again

1.06 What statement best describes the Program Manager(s) and Project Managers (CAMs) EVM knowledge?

Ground zero with few exceptions

Basic understanding of how EVM is different than traditional spend plan monitoring approaches

Book knowledge mostly as some have received basic formal training

Past experience with applying EVM concepts and utilizing reports

Extensive experience in applying EVM on contracts with formal EVM requirements

1.07 Has your organization identified program management support roles and responsibilities necessary to effectively utilize EVM? (e.g., Finance Analyst, EVM Manager, EVM Analyst, Master Scheduler, Scheduler, Planners, etc.)

Not yet. Hope to do so

Some roles in place, but other roles are sometimes performed by the same person

Most roles in place. Complexity of programs doesn't really warrant defining detailed roles and responsibilities

We have identified additional roles necessary for programs requiring EVM and we are training team members in these new roles.

1.08 Does your organization have an EVMS training program?

No. We don't have programs that require EVMS yet

No, EVMS training is predominately On the Job Training (OJT)

Limited external courses are available for specific roles (e.g. conferences, seminars, certifications)

Basis courses are available and taught by company SMEs on demand

A training library is established requiring mandatory and elective courses by role. Numerous training methods (e.g. instructor led, self paced, virtual, etc.) and skill levels (e.g. beginner, intermediate, and advanced) are offered

1.09 What statement best describes the capability of your program management processes

Success by champions. In the absence of champions, capability is significantly compromised

Defined, documented, and repeatable.

Compliant with contractual requirements

Active and effective metrics in place to monitor program management data quality

Proactive plans in place to continually identify and implement program management process improvements

1.10 Does your organization conduct compliance reviews on program management processes?

No. Programs are expected to follow procedures and monitor themselves

Yes, a periodic self assessment is performed

An independent group (e.g. Quality Assurance) performs routine compliance assessments

A specialized independent internal group routinely performs detailed assessments

Internal groups and government entities (e.g. DCMA) perform formal compliance reviews

1.11 To what degree does senior management support the use of EVM?

Generally unaware of what EVM is. We do not have any projects using EVM at this time.

They are aware of the requirement to use EVM on some programs, but rely on PMs to implement and use EVM data

When contractually required, oversight is focused on compliance

Recognizes and utilizes EVM information to actively monitor program performance on high risk programs

Strongly supports the application of EVM concepts to all programs where it makes sense to improve the probability of successful outcomes.

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EVMS Capability Self-Assessment

SMA Program Planning & Controls

Take this survey to assess the alignment of your Earned Value Management System (EVMS) with the EIA-748 guidelines. Through the survey, you can identify gaps in the utilization of people, processes, and tools ensure consistency with the IPMDAR requirements and EIA-748 guidelines. The questions looks for objective evidence that your implementation meets the intent of the EIA-748 guidelines. Please have a copy of your system description with you during the survey. Given the scope of an EVMS implementation, you may ask for input from other members of your firm (e.g. Accounting, Manufacturing, etc.)

Please note that if you are a visitor to this site, you can only take the first two modules. You will need to create a free SMA Talent On Demand (TOD)® Client account for access to all of the assessment modules.

Modules for this course

1. General Assessment

Assess your general EVMS capabilities
2. Organization

Assess your Organization capabilities to satisfy EIA-748-C Guidelines 1-5
3. Planning, Scheduling, and Budgeting

Assess your Planning, Scheduling, and Budgeting capabilities to satisfy EIA-748-C Guidelines 6-15
4. Accounting Considerations

Assess your Accounting capabilities to satisfy EIA-748-C Guidelines 16-21
5. Analysis and Management Reporting

Assess your Analysis and Management Reporting capabilities to satisfy EIA-748-C Guidelines 22-27
6. Revisions and Data Maintenance

Assess your Revisions and Data Maintenance capabilities to satisfy EIA-748-C Guidelines 28-32